The Inside the Hall Mailbag is a collection of questions tweeted to us via Twitter (@insidethehall), via email, submitted on our premium forum and sent to us via our Facebook page. Submit your questions and we’ll answer as many as we can.

@ItSjEnKiNs on Twitter writes: Any word on other strong non-conference match ups this year? Anymore info on Louisville or Kentucky talk?

@BDP634 on Twitter writes: Serious question – Why does one top 25 recruit (24 to other colleges) make IU top 15 given finish to last year and lack of defense?

Right now, all of these preseason rankings and even the rankings when the season starts should be taken for what they are: just predictions. They’re projections and each season, you can go back and find examples of teams that were ranked to begin the season and didn’t even end up making the NCAA tournament.

As for why IU is being viewed so favorably nationally, the missing piece last year was a big man and the Hoosiers went out and added one with Thomas Bryant. The Hoosiers competed with just about everyone they played last season and beat some solid teams, but not having an inside presence really hurt against the Big Ten’s best. Adding an elite player like Bryant, combined with the fact that just about everyone of significance is back on the roster, makes IU stack up pretty favorably on paper against other teams across the country.

Obviously there is still plenty to play out with how much the defense improves, but I don’t see IU’s current preseason rankings as being particularly outlandish. There’s legitimate talent on this roster and the optimism is warranted. – Alex Bozich

Zachary Farmer on Facebook writes: I know this is early but do you see O.G. Anunoby redshirting? With all the depth expected, barring injuries or any other problems in the future, minutes will not be there for O.G. Also coach Tom Crean has said he would have redshirted Max Hoetzel last season if not for the (Devin) Davis accident so it’s not out of the question that the same could happen to O.G. so he can get more polished.

I do not see O.G. redshirting. I am aware of the comments regarding Hoetzel potentially redshirting last season, but to my knowledge, the last IU player to redshirt (for non-medical reasons) was under Kelvin Sampson. In other words, it’s just not something we’ve seen under Tom Crean and I don’t expect this upcoming season to be any different.

I may have answered this differently had Devin Davis and Hanner Mosquera-Perea not been dismissed from the program and I may answer it differently if IU adds another piece to this class, but with 12 scholarship players currently on the roster next season, I don’t see Anunoby redshirting. – Alex Bozich

HoosierDanny on the premium forum writes: Now that Thon is officially not an option for this year, do you see IU making another late addition or giving the scholarship to a walk-on? Are there any names on IU’s radar if they do decide to bring in another player?

There’s no doubt that IU is going to continue looking for another player, but I don’t think you’re going to see someone added unless it’s a player who has a chance to make an impact.

Here’s what Tom Crean said earlier in the month when asked about the situation: “If there’s a player that fits us from a competitive standpoint. And it’s not as much need, but just coming in that’s going to bring something to the team. And not in a short-term, but somebody who can be good now but somebody who could develop into being an even better player as we move down the line.”

These comments were made before the Thon Maker decision to stay in 2016 was announced, but I think the general sentiment remains the same: It’s going to need to be someone like Emmitt Holt last season that can come in and actually contribute something to the team’s success. – Alex Bozich

kmark22 on the premium forum writes: It seemed that Je’Ney Jackson played a huge role in the success of IU’s program during his time at IU. It seemed kids were very well conditioned and didn’t have very many injuries. How big of a role can Lyonel Anderson play with this years team?

Jackson did a fantastic job in his time at IU. The players liked and respected him and he was able to get a lot out of them. It was certainly a loss for the program when he chose to depart for Kansas to work for their football program, but it’s hard to blame him given his friendships with the new Kansas football staff. Jackson also had a strong football background, so getting a chance to run a strength and conditioning program at a BCS level program was something he aspired to do eventually.

Anderson said recently that Jackson is someone he considers a friend and mentor, so I would expect that he’ll bring some of what Jackson brought while also putting his own stamp on things. One thing we’ve already seen from Anderson in some of the videos IU has posted is he’s not afraid to try different things and he’s also not going to be shy about getting in the face of the players to motivate them during workouts. We haven’t heard anything publicly from the players on Anderson just yet, but every indication I’ve gotten to this point is he’s been well received since taking the job.

As for how big of a role he can play, given how much he’s able to work with the players in the offseason, the expectation from within is that he’ll play a pivotal role. He hasn’t shied away from expectations, either, as one of the first things he said in his comments to the media was he wants to do whatever he can to help the program reach the Final Four this coming season. – Alex Bozich

madweber on the premium forum writes: Who is your front-runner for biggest surprise player, both for IU as well as in the B1G?

I like Robert Johnson as a surprise next season. He was very solid as a freshman, but I think he’ll be much more polished as a sophomore. He needs to bring his turnover rate (24.2 percent) down, but the experience he was able to get last season will be valuable as he prepares for his second season. Johnson is also a guy that embraces putting in extra work to make the improvements necessary in his game, so he would be my pick as the surprise on next year’s IU team.

In terms of the Big Ten, that’s a tough one. There are a lot of guys who I expect will be much better next season. A few of them off the top of my head: Bryant McIntosh of Northwestern, Jae’Sean Tate of Ohio State, Derrick Walton of Michigan (who is coming off of an injury), Vitto Brown of Wisconsin and Shep Garner of Penn State. Not sure I see any of those guys ending up on the All-Big Ten teams besides Walton, but those are just a few names that came to mind as potential surprises. – Alex Bozich

lawguyNA on the premium forum writes: Anything more from within the program on the status of hiring a coach to replace McClain?

Nothing yet. Tom Crean said he was close earlier in the month and we’ve seen Rob Judson in many of the offseason workout videos, so it’s pretty clear he’s sticking around in his current role of director of basketball operations or moving up to the assistant role. The July evaluation periods start on Wednesday, July 8, so we should certainly know before then. – Alex Bozich

GregorySpera on the premium forum writes: What do you expect the “other” three freshmen, Morgan, Anunoby and Niego to contribute this coming season? Will any of them make a significant impact as far as minutes and production?

I can’t speak much to Harrison Niego as I’ve never seen him play in person, but IU is a little short on guard depth, so there’s always a chance he could find himself in spot duty if the situation arises.

Anunoby, who I addressed some earlier, has the furthest to go of the scholarship freshman in terms of being able to get on the floor and contribute. I think he will play some, but I wouldn’t characterize what he’s expected to bring as being signigicant to the success of the Hoosiers.

Morgan is the one of those three that has the best chance to make an impact next season. With the dismissals of Davis and Mosquera-Perea, there’s a good chance he can slide into the rotation off the bench and make an impact as a rebounder and a guy who will do the little things like set screens and dive on the floor for loose balls. He may not end up with numbers that jump out on paper, but I do see him getting onto the floor more than the other freshmen not named Thomas Bryant. – Alex Bozich

I saw that Rawle is having a tough time gaining eligibility in NYC for his senior season due to playing in a few games as an 8th grader in Florida, would be very interesting how his recruitment would be affected if he moved to a preparatory school. Obviously his list of suitors is plentiful, but it could lead to a little different perception in his mind. I think he is the #1 target in our coaching staff’s mind.

Tyler T

Great mailbag. Thanks Alex.

Hoosier Hall

I like the comment regarding surprise players for next year and I agree with Alex about Rob Johnson. That guy is smooth and can do so many different things on the court. Jae’Sean Tate is going to be a beast. He reminds me of Charles Barkley a lot. Undersized but strong and plays really hard. It’s going to be a fun season in 15-16!

WhatsUpKnight2.0

i hope AB’s right about RJ. really like that kid and would love to see him evolve into one of the best players on the team. he’s certainly got the physical tools to take it to the next step, to go along with good work ethic and a smooth jumper. i want to see him play with more confidence this year, which i think will help with both his shooting and to percentages.

also can’t wait to see what JM brings to the table. even if he doesn’t see a whole lot of minutes, i think hustle guys like him (and TB) can be infectious to the rest of the team. in other words, he could be our rudy. 😉

Kyl470

At this point I can’t really see a player become available that would really impact this years team. That being said I’d just assume CTC take the open scholarship and give it to a senior walk on for the year.

PDXHoosier

I also worry about our defense. Is adding one post player really going to change much? We are certainly a top 20 team overall but most teams that win championships are top 20 in both offense and defense. I just don’t see it happening, realistically. I hope I’m wrong

WhatsUpKnight2.0

almost certainly slim pickins at this point unfortunately. the timing of the transfers and dismissals kinda messed things up. then again, are we really any better if JA doesn’t transfer? or MH?

WhatsUpKnight2.0

i think the addition of one quality frontcourt player can make a significant difference (who knows, maybe MB makes it two. at any rate, i’d be shocked if he doesn’t end up being a huge upgrade from HMP). absolutely the rest of the team has to improve to give us a shot at going deep in the tourney, but at the very least we won’t see our PG trying to defend their center. point being, i attribute the horrible D last year to lack of personnel every bit as much as lack of defensive effortability or coaching (or both). suffice it to say, i’m really pulling for TB to be successful. kid’s got a lot of expectations resting on his shoulders

Outoftheloop

Much better! Morgan and Holt will really give IU some strength on the boards with Thomas. OJ will blossom in his 2nd year at IU as Collin did last year. At the end of 3 years we might be talking about a Victor-type athletic talent that is now a full basketball player.

INUnivHoosier

I would say that I like Robert Johnson, but that is generally the kiss of death that sends players packing the following year. So, I’ll say that I’m not a big fan of RJ. I wish he’d just leave already.

SilentBob

I think it really impacts the timetable for his decision. To me, before this, I had the gut feeling he would be an early November decision. He just really seems grounded and knows in his head what he wants. But this might push it back a few months. He will have to get accumated with his new school and prepare for the highly competitive prep season which will probably push his visits back. And with as much guard/ wing depth we are looking at losing this year I don’t think the staff wants to be sweating bullets til a March/ April decision or even later. Crean isn’t afraid of over signing so that would be a small plus in this circumstance, but it could cause us to land lesser esteemed players along the way that we really wouldn’t need if we landed Rawle.

Jeremy

I kind of hope Alex is wrong and a guy named James Blackman becomes all I hoped him to be. A future 1st round draft pick.

ArghSonOfOhCrap

I think you are dead on. EH will be like Jarod Odel was for Jerred Jeffries .

Lance76

Would like to see Jamal Murry (sp?) for last ship, but understand a lean toward Oregon or Kentucky when reclassified to 2015. Very good handle and would help Yogi, JBJr, RJ and NZ through the season

Hoosier Hall

In that case, I can’t stand Yogi or Troy! Sick and tired of those guys!

hoosier93

How many foam bricks should I have ready to go before each game? Good feeling I’ll be throwing several when the starting lineup walks out.

TomJameson

RJ has great BB IQ! I wouldn’t be surprised that he has a great leap in confidence and ability. And yes, it will be a VERY fun season!

TomJameson

But I don’t think the difference is “just” adding a post player, even though I believe that adding a key pieced like that can make a big difference. Part of what IU added is a year of experience (they were improving at years end), a summer of working on what every coach and player has called a priority (defense of course), and the desire to prove something. Oh yeah, a special emphasis for a few players who want to go to the NBA!

TomJameson

I think there can be a few options to the starting lineup without really losing anything. But I think the first one will be Yogi, TB, Blackmon, Troy, and RJ. May be lots of subbing in-and-out, but I think CTC is going to stick with that at first.

hoosier93

And I’ll be throwing some foam bricks. I don’t care is its “our best 5.” It shouldn’t be our starting lineup. I honestly don’t want Rob on the court more than 20 minutes. The less be plays then the less he gives it up. We need to worry about defense as well. Plus the log jams at the 4 and 5 with Crean’s “masterful thinking.”